For me, the great thing about the “Amy Travel Mysteries” is that it gives me another reason to travel. Death on the Patagonian Express came out of my month-long Patagonian excursion and is filled with the kind of local detail I love. In this book, Amy Abel is given a free trip on a luxury train across…

I’m so excited. Dearly Departed, my second Amy’s Travel mystery, has just been released. If you liked Toured to Death, you’ll love this new adventure featuring Amy and her force-of-nature mom, Fanny. This time Amy escorts some rich New Yorkers on a ‘round-the-world wake, from Paris to the great wall of China, as they spread…

These days it’s fairly common for mystery writers to combine their passion for mayhem with a second great love. As a result, the amateur sleuth will often be found mulling over clues in a coffee bar or flower shop or bakery or in the company of a cat on a windowsill. In my case, the…

Opening Day for major league baseball is just around the corner — so what better time for a baseball mystery? Can you find the burglar before Sherman Holmes does? CLICK HERE TO READ “FOUL BALL BURGLARY”

My new book, Toured to Death, launched on January 27 — and it’s already getting great reviews. “Smart, snappy dialog and fun, likable characters keep this series debut moving right along.” (Starred Review in Library Journal) “Fast paced with an appealing international flair, this story will likely cross gender and genre lines, appeal to both…

I wrote this mini-mystery years ago as one of the stories in my biggest book of mysteries — “The Little Giant Book of Mysteries.” I’ve always liked it and thought it was a fun mystery to solve. I hope you agree. CLICK HERE TO READ: “THE PRETENDERS’ BALL”

Win a free signed copy of Toured to Death, the new mystery by Hy Conrad, writer/producer of the hit TV series, Monk. Just click on the “Contact” tab and write “Enter” in the Your Message field. It’s that easy. Five lucky winners will receive a signed, advance copy of Toured to Death. Advance Praise for…

When a ballplayer retires, that’s the time to make a final review of his stats, adding up his career runs, his strikeouts, his RBI’s and analyzing his more controversial plays. So that’s what I find myself doing with my old friend Adrian Monk. After 125 episodes, and nineteen novels, it looks like the man’s fabled…

I don’t know what Sergeant Wilson would do if Sherman Holmes didn’t always show up at the scene of the crime at the most opportune times. Can Sherman catch the Bus Station Bomber before he strikes again? CLICK HERE TO READ “BUS STATION BOMBER!”

As a kid, I absolutely loved hedge mazes and even the ones made from corn stalks, which are so popular in New England this time of year. Of course, I never had a solve a murder — like Sherman Holmes does in this week’s mini-mystery. CLICK HERE TO READ “A MAZE OF SUSPECTS”

Sherman Holmes certainly has a sixth sense for spotting a crime — even before the police do. But can you figure out who stole the Monet before Sherman does? CLICK HERE TO READ THIS WEEK’S MINI-MYSTERY: “THE MISSING MONET”

Was it the director? The theater owner? Or her understudy, eager to get the part? Somebody killed aging diva, Leona Hempsted. Can you figure out who? CLICK HERE TO READ THIS WEEK’S MINI-MYSTERY: “DEATH OF A DIVA”

I don’t do a lot of blog postings — I think my fans are more interested in the mini-mysteries I write than any random thoughts I might have on the world. But I did want to take a moment for some self-serving news. It seems that my first Monk novel, “Mr. Monk Helps Himself” just…

With the launch of my new Monk novel, “Mr. Monk Is Open for Business,” I haven’t been able to publish any new mini-mysteries for almost 2 months. Finally … here’s a new one I hope you enjoy. CLICK HERE TO READ THIS WEEK’S MINI-MYSTERY: “BLACKMAIL CAN BE DEADLY”

Mr. Monk Is Open for Business is now open for business. It just went on sale today – in Kindle and hardcover. My third Monk novel starts with Adrian and Natalie renting space in a mini-mall and opening their own detective agency. Some of their new-found problems are unavoidable, like Monk’s feud with the seedy…

Despite all the crime scenes that Sherman Holmes had visited, he had never been the one “in charge.” Even though this makes Sherman nervous, he can still figure out who murdered Oliver Lasky. Can you? CLICK HERE TO READ THIS WEEK’S MINI-MYSTERY: “SHERMAN ON THE SCENE”

Sherman’s weekly seance with his friends Luther, Agatha and Grimelda was a doozie this week with a visit by the spirit of Sherlock Holme’s archenemy, Moriarty. Did it really happen? Or does Sherman have another explanation? CLICK HERE TO READ: “THE MORIARTY NOTE”

A time-stamped voicemail message at 2:17PM. A broken wristwatch at 2:30PM. A priest who supports the alibi. How can Sherman possibly figure out who killed Connie? CLICK HERE TO READ: “THE VOICEMAIL ALIBI”

As most diehard fans already know, the next book in the Monk series went on sale Tuesday January 7 and is now available everywhere. The new book, Mr.. Monk Gets on Board,” is especially meaningful for all the TV writers, since it brings to life the one script that we never got to film. In our…

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the release of my second Monk novel (Mr. Monk Gets on Board), than to announce my deal with the Penguin Group to write two more two Monk novels – numbers 18 and 19 in the on-going series. The next book (#18) will be Mr. Monk Is Open…

Once a year, Sherman goes on vacation and rents a cabin in the woods — so he can relax and forget about solving crimes. But this year, Sherman himself is a victim. Can you help him figure out who did it? CLICK HERE FOR THE MINI-MYSTERY OF THE WEEK: “CRIME AT CRIMINY WOODS”

Delia Waterford, an elderly widow, was in the habit of opening her front door for anybody — salesmen, neighbors, strangers. Did one of them kill her? CLICK HERE TO READ THIS WEEK’S MINI-MYSTERY: “DOOR-TO-DOOR HOMICIDE”

The law firm of Wynn, Loose & Draw had more than just a malpractice suit on their hands — they had a murder. How did Sherman Holmes figure this one out so quickly? CLICK HERE FOR “MURDER WORKS WEEKENDS”

I’ve been making a living as a writer for so long I’ve almost forgotten my life before. What was it like not to sit down every day and face a blank screen? (Before screens, of course, I was sitting down facing a blank spiral notebook. But the question’s the same.) Not to have to come…

Is it possible that Sergeant Wilson can solve a robbery before Sherman can? What does the Sergeant know that Sherman doesn’t? Find out in this week’s mini-mystery “Wilson Wins One.” CLICK HERE TO READ “WILSON WINS ONE”

A weekend in the country was not as relaxing as Sherman Holmes hoped it would be — certainly not when a guest is murdered and Sherman is the prime suspect. Can you figure out what really happened? CLICK HERE FOR “CRIME IN RECORD TIME”

I am often asked what it was like to write about a character who had so many quirks, so many phobias. The initial idea for the series “Monk” came from the film producer David Hoberman who had just seen “As Good as it Gets” in which Jack Nicholson plays an unpleasant – some might say…

About Monk’s mother. She was never in the series. Were there ever plans to do flashbacks to Adrian Monk growing up, his family life etc? Why did we never show Monk’s mother or give many details about his young life? Because we were afraid. Can you imagine the kind of cold, emotionless woman who could…

Since Hy Conrad is on vacation this week, he wanted to let Sherman Holmes take a vacation, as well. Of course, that doesn’t stop Sherman from solving murders. And that’s why this week’s installment is: MURDER ON VACATION

This week’s mini-mystery again takes Sherman Holmes (the long-lost great-great-grandson of Sherlock Homes) out of his element and into the country. Can you figure out who the murderer is? And the telltale clue that gave him (or her) away? I hope you enjoy: “A COUNTRY CRIME.” Let me know if you were able to solve…

Having written hundreds of solve-it-yourself mysteries during my career, I thought it would be fun to bring my favorites back to life and post a new one here every week. Beginning today, you’ll have a new mini-mystery to solve every Monday. The first series will star Sherman Holmes — the long-lost great-great-grandson of Sherlock Homes…

“Were there ever plans for a Monk and Psych cross-over episode? I know they did a commercial for USA together, but was an episode ever planned?” USA had approached the creative team at Monk about the possibility of several cross-over episodes: Monk and Psych; Monk and the Dead Zone. (Remember the Dead Zone?) This was…

No matter what I do in my career, the credit that always grabs a stranger’s attention and brings a smile is my eight years on “Monk”. I would have expected this to diminish as the years pass. After all, our last episode aired in 2009. But every time someone says, ”A writer? Have you written…

Hello ! I’ve read that the 17th novel would be entitled ‘Mr.Monk Gets On Board.’ I’m quite curious about this one ! 🙂 Could you tell us more about this novel (the general plot) ? Thanks a lot for continuing the series ! 🙂 Number 17 will be based on the one Monk TV episode…

How did the writing process on ‘”Monk” work? I know Andy Breckman was in New Jersey writing the series and not in California. How did that work? We were all in New Jersey writing the series. On one of the DVD bonus features, we explain the process. But here it is in a thumbnail. When…

It’s June 4th and my first Monk novel goes on sale: “Mr. Monk Helps Himself”. I’ve gone through plenty of launch dates before, but I’ve never been this excited and nervous. It’s probably because I’m taking over a successful franchise and don’t want to screw things up. Anyway, I can’t wait to hear back from…

My career has been based on the simple act of answering the phone. Apparently, I’m no good at self-promotion, but very good at answering phones. It’s happened a dozen times. I had never even thought of writing for TV when I got a call from Andy Breckman. He had found a few of my solve-it-yourself…

Since I’ve spent most of my working life writing mysteries and creating mystery games, the questions always come up. How did I get started? Did I always fantasize about killing people? Do my friends feel safe when they’re in a room with me? I can’t answer that last one, but I suppose I always loved…

One of the most frequently asked questions for a mystery writer is, “Do you have everything plotted out in advance?” The answer – my answer at least – is “no.” There have been times when I’ve been halfway through a book and not known who the killer would be. Okay, that happened once. But you…

Until recently, I’d never thought of myself as a writer of cozies. I was a mystery writer who wasn’t interested in violence and, for some reason, wasn’t fascinated by sex. These were always the parts I rushed through as a reader, eager to get back to the characters and the story. Maybe that was part…

FROM A LIFETIME OF MYSTERIES TO A FIRST NOVEL. I don’t know why I never wrote a novel before. It was thirty years ago when I first got involved with mysteries. I was a young playwright in New York when a techie friend asked, “Do you have any ideas that would work on a laserdisc?” …

I am often asked for advice from young writers who want to break into the mystery genre. There are, of course, books written on this topic. But here are five quick rules that I believe are critical: Pay attention to logic. Mystery fans want it to all make sense. Action isn’t as important in a…

Since I’ve spent most of my working life writing mysteries and creating mystery games, the questions always come up. How did I get started? Did I always fantasize about killing people? Do my friends feel safe when they’re in a room with me? I can’t answer that last one, but I suppose I always loved…

It’s always been my theory that the things that excited you as a ten-year-old, before all the limits and temptations of life lead you astray, are your true passions. For me, those early loves included mystery books, humor and dogs. Since then, I’ve spent most of my life writing mysteries and owning dogs. Two out…